The LG Weekly News Roundup: 10.22.10

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We’ve got your roundup right here….

McWeddings the Rage in Hong Kong
The newest destination wedding hotspot isn’t a white-sand Hawaiian beach or a fairy tale Irish castle but the golden arches themselves. That’s right. In Hong Kong this January, select McDonald’s locations will open their doors for wedding receptions. The packages, starting at about $1,000, come with an apple pie wedding cake and a special gift from the franchise, but blushing brides take note: You’ll only get a section of the restaurant to yourself. Source: NPR

Korea Battles Endures Shortage
Korea’s recent kimchi shortage is forcing some restaurants to charge for the country’s ubiquitous banchan (side dish), a move that New York Times writer Mark McDonald says is akin to hamburger shops charging for ketchup in the states. Napa Cabbage, a key ingredient in the fermented dish, spiked this year from an average of $2.50 to $14 a head, while radishes, another important addition, have more than tripled in price. Economists mostly blame rainy weather for the shortage. Source: Gadling

Venice Considers Tourist Tax
In a move that some say could make Venice feel even more like a theme park, Italian officials are considering implementing a tourist tax on the some 20 million people who pass through its canals each year. No amount has been agreed upon, but a one-euro tariff has been suggested; the money would fund the upkeep of the crumbling, sinking city. Source: AOL Travel

Are First Class Tickets a Thing of the Past?
As the number of first class ticket bookings drops, more airlines are reducing or completely eliminating seats in their more expensive cabins. Already, British Airways has commissioned some Boeing 777s without first class seats, Qantas is getting rid of first class seating on most of its long-haul flights, and some are speculating that United might adopt Continental’s approach of flying with only economy and business class. Source: USA Today

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Travel News Bits

Van Gogh Thieves Convicted
After a three-month saga, an Egyptian court has finally convicted eleven officials for gross negligence regarding the theft of a Vincent van Gogh painting valued at up to $55 million. Source: Museyon.com

Hertz Launches One-Way Car Rentals
New Yorkers and visitors will have a new option for getting to the airport this December, when Hertz launches one-way car rentals in the city. Source: Budget Travel

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